OrchestraTeacher.net Blog

2015 South Carolina Music Educators Conference

Here are the sessions presented at SCMEA.  I had a great time meeting teachers and catching up with everyone! Automate and Motivate 21st Century String Players with Technology February 6, 2015, 2:30 PM, Carolina A/B 21st Century String Players Technology Slides 02-07-15 (PDF) Browse the top menu of this to see...

2015 Ohio Music Educators Conference

Organizing an Effective and Efficient Orchestra Rehearsal Feb 5th at 1:15 – 2:15 PM, CC16 Organizing an Efficient Orchestra Rehearsal Slides  (PDF) It’s Symphony Time! Developing and Working with the Young Full Orchestra Feb 5th at 2:30 – 3:30 PM, CC16 It’s Symphony Time Keynote Slides (PDF) Improving the Intonation of Your String Students through Sight, Sound, and...

2015 Georgia Music Educators Conference

Here are the sessions I will be presenting on Friday, January 30, 2015 at the GMEA Conference.  Links to pages and resources are included. Improving the Intonation of Your String Students Through Sight, Sound, and Touch 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM Trade Center Room 105-106 Orchestra division Pitch accuracy is...

Note Identification Drills

This month I started a new class of 3rd-5th graders at the KSU String Project. Students will soon be learning to identify note names.  Initially, I separate the music reading from the music production tasks. MusicTheory.net is a great website for learning LOTS of music theory concepts.  One of my favorite parts of...

Navigating the journey… from student teaching through your first years in the classroom

Synopsis: You have made it through your undergraduate education!  Now what?  This session will provide important pre-service information and highlight some “do’s” and “do not’s” that will help you not only survive student teaching, but thrive as you begin your new career. Student Teaching Personal Space Responsibility: Too much?  Too...

You want ME to teach guitar? I’m an orchestra director!

2014 Midwest Clinic Charles Laux & Bob Morris, presenters Synopsis: Yes, an orchestra or band director can teach class guitar! Come learn how and why to start a guitar program at your school. Guitar & orchestra program collaboration only makes a music program stronger! The session will include discussion of...

Mac keyboard not working in MS Office after Yosemite upgrade

I recently upgraded to Mac OS X (10.10) Yosemite and really like it so far.  But I’ve come across one problem where my keyboard stopped working in Microsoft Word ! It happened as I’ve been working on my dissertation – talk about bad timing!  Today I change my default font to...

Sessions at NYSSMA Summer Conference

My first time in Albany!!  Special thanks to Edie Shillitoe and NYASTA for the invitation.  You all have such a great vibe! It was nice meeting everyone.  Below are the sessions I presented… String Education Technology: Amazing apps and Resources to Teach, Administrate and Assess (Sunday, August 10, 2:30-3:45 PM) For...

Sessions at TODA 2014

I absolutely LOVE San Antonio and the teachers in Texas!  There is always so much excitement and great discussion. Here is some information from my two sessions. 1. Link to Essential Elements Interactive I made a screencast video of how to sign up for an account when you don’t have a...

Sessions at 2014 OSU String Teacher Workshop

Once again, it was a pleasure heading back to Buckeye Country to present technology sessions for the 2014 OSU Summer String Teachers Workshop!  Below are some outlines, links, and other resources that were mentioned in my presentations.  Please let me know should you have any further questions or if you...